Everyone has been there before — you turn on your shower after a long day and…only cold water comes out. If your water heater is malfunctioning, one of the most likely culprits is the water heater element. Of course, that raises the question of how to tell if your water heater element is burned out. Today, the Works Plumbing team is here with this guide on diagnosing and fixing a burned-out water heater element.
Contact Pacifica’s reliable water heater repair experts today for the most reliable service in the Pacifica area!
How Does a Water Heater Element Work?
All electric heaters use a heating element to heat water. Heating elements turn electricity into heat energy by running it through an insulator material. As the electricity runs through the water-submerged element, resistance generates heat, raising the temperature of the surrounding water.
Modern heating elements mostly consist of three materials:
- Metal elements typically use a nickel and chrome alloy with higher resistance than other metals.
- PTC (positive temperature coefficient) elements utilize special ceramic discs that are resistant to starting fires, making them very safe.
- Composite heating elements consist of mixtures of both metals and ceramics.
Heating elements must withstand high temperatures, sometimes cracking or burning out under strain. When a heating element breaks, it doesn’t conduct electricity as well and won’t be able to heat water. Water that won’t heat up is generally a sure sign of a heating element malfunction.
Most modern electric water heaters use two components: one near the top of the tank and one near the bottom. Each plays a slightly different role, and you can usually tell which one is broken based on the symptoms.
Signs Your Water Heater Element Is Burned Out
If you are wondering how to tell if your water heater element is burned out, be on the lookout for the following signs, not all of which have the same cause.
Only Cold Water
If your water heater can’t produce hot water, the top heating element has most likely burned out. A complete lack of hot water indicates a malfunctioning element if you have a single-element heater. In this case, it will need to be replaced.
Lukewarm Water
If water only gets to lukewarm levels, it’s most likely due to a bad upper heating element. The top heating element ensures the water is at the desired temperature, so if the water can only get so hot, you can likely pinpoint the source accordingly.
Hot Water Runs Out Quickly
The bottom water heater element is responsible for maintaining a specific water temperature in the tank while it is waiting to be used. If the hot water from the tap runs out much faster than normal, there could be a malfunction with the lower heating element in the tank.
Circuit Breaker Trips
Water heater elements draw a significant amount of electricity to generate the necessary heat to heat water in the tank. If the element is malfunctioning, it might pull too much electricity. This could cause your breaker to short circuit, tripping and cutting power to the water heater. So, if your circuit breaker trips every time your water heater kicks on, check the heating element for problems.
Testing Your Water Heater Element
If you are still not sure about the condition of your heating element, you can directly test it to see whether the resistance and current are at the appropriate levels. To test the element, you will need a multimeter, available at your local hardware store.
Before working on the water heater, turn off the power through the circuit breaker. If you are unsure which breaker goes to the water heater, just temporarily shut off all the power to your home.
Next, remove the metal covers over the heating element chamber with a Phillips-head screwdriver. You will also have to remove the underlying insulation between the covering and the heating element. You may have to use a utility knife to cut the insulation to remove it completely. Make sure you do not damage the underlying heating element.
After removing the insulation, locate the end of the heating element, which looks like a small square base with two screws with wires on them at the end. Place the nodes of the multimeter on the screws and change the settings to detect alternating currents to ensure the electricity is completely off.
To test the element, you must measure its resistance. Switch the multimeter settings to measure resistance and place the nodes on the two screws. A functioning heating element should read between 10 and 30 ohms. The heating element is broken if the meter reads 1 or 0.
If you have multiple heating elements, repeat the above testing process. If any elements yield improper results, you’ll have to replace them.
Replacing a Burned-Out Water Heater Element
Thankfully, replacing a faulty heating element is feasible without any special training. All you will need are a socket wrench, screwdriver, multimeter, and the new heating element.
As with testing, you want to ensure the heating element’s power is completely off before disconnecting and reconnecting wires. You will also want to shut off the water main. If you have a tank water heater, empty it by connecting a hose to the drain valve near the bottom. Next, expose the heating element the same way you did to test its resistance.
Using the screwdriver, slowly remove the two screws in the square base. Make sure you put these screws in a safe place because you will need them when attaching the new element. After removing the screws, disconnect the wires from the socket.
You should be able to access most of the heating element now. Depending on the type of heating element, you can remove it with either the ratchet or the screwdriver. For a screw-in heating element head, you need to unscrew the element using the ratchet. For a flange-type element, remove the corner screws and slowly pull it out of the socket.
Now it’s time to attach the new heating element. You must ensure the replacement element has the same voltage and resistance as the old one, or it might not be compatible with your water heater. If the element is a screw-in type, place it in the socket and turn it clockwise using the ratchet. If it is a flange-type element, tighten the mounting screws until the element is snug in the compartment.
Once you have installed the new element, you can test it to ensure the proper connections. Turn on the water main and the power back to the water heater. Open your taps and let the hot water run for a few minutes. If the water heats up back to normal, then your new heating element is working correctly. If not, reopen the water heater and ensure you connected the wires appropriately and that the heating element is completely connected to the mount.
Water Heater Element FAQ
Below are some common questions homeowners might have about heating elements and their water heaters and what you can do to resolve these situations.
How Long Does the Average Water Heater Element Last?
Your water heater’s heating element should last at least as long as the water heater itself — about 10 to 15 years for an electric tank water heater and about 20 years for a tankless water heater. The only reason you would have to replace the heating element before the water heater is if there is a malfunction.
Do All Water Heaters Have Heating Elements?
No, only electric water heaters have elements. Gas water heaters burn gas to heat water, similar to a burner on a stove. If you have a gas water heater but no hot water, the problem is likely a gas burner malfunction.
Which Type of Heating Element Is the Best?
All other things being equal, you should go for a metal or ceramic heating element. These two materials are the most durable and have the highest performance compared to other materials.
Ceramic, in particular, is a highly effective material and will not rust or corrode like metal elements. Regardless of what material you go with, ensure it has some kind of warranty or guarantee in case of material defects.
Can I Clean My Heating Element?
Yes, you can clean your heating element and should do so regularly. You can use a mixture of baking soda and water to remove any sediment buildup or corrosion. If need be, remove the coil and soak it in the cleaning mixture for 20 minutes to remove scale and rust.
Pacifica Plumbing Services
Read our blog to learn more about how hot water heaters work. If you have any more questions about how to tell if your water heater element is burned out, contact Works Plumbing online or reach out to us at (650) 414-5831. And don’t forget: We are available 24/7 for emergency services, so you can count on us for any kind of repair, no matter the hour!
